
Shadows of Adultery
1961

Representation Score
Fair
2021
Director
Benoît Jacquot
Runtime
91 minutes
Average Rating
No ratings yetNew Showbiz Analysis
Suzanna Andler is a sophisticated character study that excels in exploring female subjectivity. By focusing on a woman's struggle to choose between domesticity and freedom, the film effectively challenges patriarchal expectations and traditional gender hierarchies. However, the film's impact is limited by its lack of racial and ethnic diversity. The setting remains a homogeneous, middle-class French environment, offering little representation outside of the white demographic. Ultimately, the film provides a progressive look at gendered ability to act. It prioritizes a deep, nuanced deconstruction of the domestic feminine ideal over broader social representation.
Category Breakdown
The film critiques traditional marriage through an extramarital affair. Though it doesn't explicitly include queer identities, it challenges conventional domestic stability and romantic norms.
Suzanna is a strong example of a woman who takes control of her life and makes her own decisions. The story emphasizes her internal desires rather than the typical roles of wife and mother.
The cast is predominantly white and middle-class, reflecting a homogeneous social environment. There is very little representation of diverse ethnic groups.
The story questions traditional Western institutions by highlighting personal freedom against societal duties. It favors individual autonomy over the stability of the family unit.
The narrative focuses on psychological and relational changes. There are no characters with visible or invisible disabilities.
Present on Screen
Limited or Absent
Official Synopsis
Accompanied by her lover, Suzanna, 40, views a Riviera beach house for her family's summer vacation. This day, this break in her routine, in this new house, will mark a turning point in her life. Based on the Marguerite Duras play of the same name, Suzanna Andler is the portrait of a woman trapped in her marriage to a wealthy, unfaithful businessman in the 1960s. She must choose between her conventional destiny as a wife and mother, and her freedom, embodied by her young lover.

1961

1964

2026

1991

2007

1996

1973

2016
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!
Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.